observe the situation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "observe the situation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone taking stock of the circumstances (either literally or figuratively) in any given situation. For example, "As the manager of the customer service department, I observed the situation and determined the best course of action to take."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

For the most part, foreign journalists have been unable to observe the situation.

The New York Times

"We are working on their deployment, so that they can observe the situation on the ground," Aguer said.

The Guardian

While staff members lobbied the board, Dr. Hernandez hired Geri Thomas, a Manhattan-based museum consultant and headhunter, to observe the situation.

The New York Times

After four hours of talks, Mr. Holbrooke said Mr. Milosevic had reaffirmed an earlier promise to allow foreign diplomats to observe the situation in Kosovo.

The New York Times

Users who receive alerts can either avoid the area, keeping themselves safe, or approach and observe the situation, possibly live-streaming the video through the app.

The Washington Post

Russia and China appeared reluctant.The Sudanese government says any attempt by foreign troops to do more than observe the situation will be violently rebuffed.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Observe the situations closely, assess yourself and the surrounding context, calibrate your capture plan accordingly.

Huffington Post

The industry source observed: "The situation got distorted but that doesn't mean it was abused.

The Guardian - Business

China is observing the situation and will take necessary measures to defend its sovereignty".

The Guardian

"Just from observing the situation, I knew it was bad," Gregory said.

The New York Times

Living in Afghanistan as a girl and observing the situation for women has made me want to affect change.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "observe the situation" in professional writing, follow it with a clear explanation of the intended action based on that observation. This provides context and demonstrates the purpose of your observation.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that you will "observe the situation" without indicating what you plan to do with the information gathered. This can come across as passive or indecisive. Ensure you articulate the next steps or expected outcomes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "observe the situation" functions as a verb phrase, where "observe" is the verb indicating the action of watching and "the situation" is the object, referring to the set of circumstances being watched. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable and correct. This is highlighted by the multiple examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "observe the situation" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe the act of monitoring and assessing circumstances before taking action. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and appropriate across various contexts. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and Science sources, indicating its relevance in professional and analytical communications. When using this phrase, it's best to clearly articulate the intended actions based on your observations. Alternatives such as "assess the circumstances" or "monitor the developments" can provide nuanced options depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assess the circumstances

Focuses more on evaluating the contributing factors and conditions of a scenario.

monitor the developments

Highlights the ongoing tracking of changes and progress in a situation.

evaluate the scenario

Emphasizes a comprehensive appraisal of the situation's elements and implications.

scrutinize the circumstances

Implies a close, critical examination of the details within the situation.

keep an eye on things

A more informal way to express watching for changes or problems.

take stock of the conditions

Focuses on carefully considering and understanding the current state of affairs.

be aware of the unfolding events

Stresses the understanding and attentiveness to how events are progressing.

follow the progress

Focuses on tracking advancements and changes over time.

watch how things play out

An idiomatic expression meaning to wait and see what happens.

understand the context

Places importance on gaining a comprehensive understanding of the surrounding factors.

FAQs

How can I use "observe the situation" in a sentence?

You can use "observe the situation" to describe the act of monitoring events or circumstances. For example, "The diplomats were sent to "observe the situation" on the ground before making recommendations."

What's a more formal alternative to "observe the situation"?

More formal alternatives include "assess the circumstances" or "monitor the developments". These phrases provide a similar meaning while maintaining a professional tone.

When is it appropriate to use "observe the situation"?

It's appropriate when you want to convey the act of carefully watching and gathering information about a specific event or circumstance, especially before taking action.

What does it mean to "observe the situation"?

To "observe the situation" means to carefully watch and pay attention to what is happening in order to understand it better. This often involves gathering information and assessing the context before making a decision or taking action.